http://web2.mcla.edu/index.php/BCRC Berkshire Cultural Resource Center Blog en valeria.federici@mcla.edu Copyright 2012 2012-04-18T16:34:33-05:00 http://web2.mcla.edu/index.php/bcrc/bhip_work_in_progress/ http://web2.mcla.edu/index.php/bcrc/bhip_work_in_progress/#When:16:34:33Z Dear BHIP aficionados.. wondering were we are at with the interviewing process? Wait, let me back up a second. We STARTED the interviewing process, and that is a fact. Now, let me give you some numbers too: we planned of doing 42 interviews, we have scheduled 45 and 29 already took place. More than 60% done, less than 40% to do. What is the plan now? Well, hopefully by April 26 everyone will know which is his/her best match for the summer. Both interns and site supervisors will have picked and we will start to work on logistics. STAY TUNED. So much more to do and fun has yet to start!Above: BHIP summer 2011 - talk back at Shake&Co B-HIP 2012-04-18T16:34:33-05:00 http://web2.mcla.edu/index.php/bcrc/b_hip_summer_2012_are_you_ready/ http://web2.mcla.edu/index.php/bcrc/b_hip_summer_2012_are_you_ready/#When:15:30:21Z Following the huge success of B-HIP program so far, we are putting together a bigger and more exciting season!Where are we at?B-HIP is now finalizing the roster of candidates and contacting internship sites where interns would like to intern at.In a few weeks all of the interns will have spoken with at least two or three potential sites and supervisors.In April we will finalize contracts and other details such as housing and logistics.More important, we will start to know each other better.In May YOU, B-HIP will get ready to move to North Adams for 12 weeks =]Follow this blog as we will be publishing useful info: Berkhsire attractions, events and news.We will publish a list of restaurants and closest places where to do your shopping and info on transportation.Use this blog as your go-to place to keep yourself up to date with all things B-HIP!Till soon B-HIP 2012-03-12T15:30:21-05:00 http://web2.mcla.edu/index.php/bcrc/tricks_of_the_trade_political_art/ http://web2.mcla.edu/index.php/bcrc/tricks_of_the_trade_political_art/#When:22:48:01Z Tricks of the Trade’s MARCH session on Political ArtHow can I enact social activism in a community through my art? Art is a very powerful tool to encourage social activism and political awareness in a community. We will discuss different ways artists nationally and locally have used art as social empowerment. Guest speakers will participate in discussions about local political art and how to successfully create your own. March 6th, 6:30pm: MCLA Gallery 51 Samita Shita - A presentation and conversation on "The America Project" led by composer, actor, author and community activist Samita Sinha in partnership with MAPP International Productions.Samita was one of the composers and vocalists in  Sekou Sundiata’s "51st (dream) state", presented across America including at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in 2005, and has  been working closely on MAPP’s America Project community programs, leading community sings and was the key artist advisor on the creation of the The People’s Potlucks series for the Summer of 2011.   Samita curated last year’s WeDaPeoples Cabaret and led a community chorus project in Alabama through the Coleman Center for the Arts.The evening will beging with a screeenng of  "Finding the 51st (dream) State"(30 minutes)More info on Smaita Sinha www.samitasinha.com More info on MAPPhttp://mappinternational.org/     March 7th, 6:30pm: Ferrin Gallery Reverend BillyRevend Billy will preach on the Occupy Movement, as well as his current "Fear of Banking" activist tour with his Church of Earthaljua.  There will be a Q & A after the sermon.Reverend Billy (Bill Talen) has staged experimental plays, published essays and poems in Philadelphia, New York and California. At Life On the Water, a theater in San Francisco’s Fort Mason Theater, Talen presented artists such as Spalding Gray, Mabou Mines, David Cale, B. D. Wong, Holly Hughes, William Yellow Robe, the Red Eye Collective, Reno, John Trudeau, and Danny Glover reciting the works of Langston Hughes.  This experience in producing led him to the confessional monologue.  After studying with the cleric Reverend Sidney Lanier, Talen invented "a new kind of American preacher." Talen moved to New York City in 1994, where the experimental preacher began his career with the other sidewalk preachers on Times Square. Specializing in exorcisms of sweatshop companies, and opposing the Disneyfication of the neighborhood, he set up his portable pulpit at the door of the Mouse.  Soon, "moral soap operas," also called "Retail Interventions" were staged inside the chain stores, principally Disney, the GAP, Nike, and Starbucks.  The preacher was soon accompanied by singers, and began staging whole "Worships" in the tradition of ritual-based interactive plays of the day such as Tony and Tina’s Wedding, Late-Nite Catechism, Blue Man Group and de la Guarda.  The Reverend’s developing theology became the "Church of Stop Shopping," founded on a resistance to consumerism and a defense of independent shops, community gardens and local economies.The Reverend and Choir have toured in Europe, Africa, South America and throughout North America. William Talen has won the OBIE Award, The Dramalogue Award, The Historic Districts Council’s Preservation Award (for leading demonstrations to save Manhattan’s Poe House) and has been jailed more than 50 times. March 8th, 6:30pm: IS 183 Art School Roundtable with Joshua FieldBill SheinTrish Gorman Emily BreunigRev. Billy "Occupy" - a round table conversation on the current state of the Occupy Movement, Locally, Nationally and Internationally, in particular the role of art and activism in the movement.Discussion will be led by North Adams based artist/art teacherJoshua Field.  Joshua was active in the Occupy Wall Street Movement, designing and printing "I Am the 99%" T-shirts and posters.  Joining Joshua in guiding the conversation will be local activist Bill Shein, who was one of the organizers behind the Occupy the Berkshires Movement in Great Barrington and is currently running for state office, Trish Gorman North Adams based activist and organizer of the Occupy Northern Berkshires Movement, Emily Breunig young artist and activist who has been heavily involved with the Occupy Wall Street Movement and Rev. Billy who has been traveling the world for the last year staging actions as part of the Occupy Movement world wide. Others from the Occupy movement, local and beyond arestrongly encouraged to join the conversation as are those interested in what is happening.---------------------------------------------------------All seminars are FREE, pre-registration required. To register email valeria.federici@mcla.edu with name, last name, date fo the seminar, telephone number.---------------------------------------------------------Click here to see upcoming topicsTricks of the Trade is a program of MCLA’s Berkshire Cultural Resource Center, in collaboration with Berkshire Creative, Ferrin Gallery and IS183 Art School.  To see what we have done in the past click here For info please call Valeria Federici, MCLA’s Berkshire Cultural Resource Center, Program Coordinator at            413.663.5253      .  Tricks of the Trade 2012-02-22T22:48:01-05:00 http://web2.mcla.edu/index.php/bcrc/tricks_of_the_trade_integration_of_art_and_community/ http://web2.mcla.edu/index.php/bcrc/tricks_of_the_trade_integration_of_art_and_community/#When:19:44:02Z Tricks of the Trade is a professional development series for artists and creatives who are looking to build a career and engage with the community. FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. Pre-registration is required. Please contact Valeria Federici, BCRC Program Coordinator (valeria.federici@mcla.edu or call 413-663-5253).This is a program of MCLA’s Berkshire Cultural Resource Center in partnership with IS 183 Art School in Stockbridge and Ferrin Gallery in Pittsfield. Every month a different topic will be spotlighted and three seminars will be available. This month’s topic is Integration of Art and Community.The FEBRUARY: Integration of Art and Community How can you effectively reach out and collaborate with the community through art? In these open-forum workshops, participants will discuss how to establish the connection between artist and community. Facilitating this relationship requires us to discuss identity, history, and the audiences we’re engaging with. This is an open discussion where local artists and creative professionals in the audience are invited to speak about their struggles and success.The THREE seminars are:1. FEBRUARY 7TH (TUESDAY) @7:00pm: MCLA Gallery 51(please note time changed)***Round-Table Discussion Part I: Art, Community, and Local Politics of the Northern BerkshirePanelists:-Richard J. Alcombright, Mayor of North Adams-Nancy Bullet, North Adams City Councilor-Christine Dobbert, Florida Town Administrator-Veronica Bosley, Director of North Adams Office of Tourism 2. FEBRUARY 8TH (WEDNESDAY) @6:30pm: Ferrin Gallery ***Round-Table Discussion Part II: Art, Community, and Local Politics of Pittsfield- Hosted by Helena Fruscio, Massachusetts Creative Economy Industry Director-Dan Bianchi, Mayor of Pittsfield-Ben Dowing, State Senator-Tricia Farley-Bouvier, State Representative-John Krol, City Councilor of Pittsfield3.FEBRUARY 9TH (THURSDAY) @6:30pm: IS183 Art School ***Round-Table Discussion Part III: Art, CommunityGuest Speakers/Panelists: -Susan Cross, Curator MASS MoCA-Kate Merrigan, UNITY Program Coordinator of Northern Berkshire Community Colation-Sandra Newman, Founder and Executive Director of Community Access to the Arts-Megan Whilden, Director of Cultural Development for Pittsfield (moderator)For a PDF of the official TOT brochure click belowhttp://www.mcla.edu/About_MCLA/uploads/textWidget/1504.00060/documents/1013_2_MCLAtricksofthetrade2011.pdfFor more information about BCRC or the TOTT program www.mcla.edu/BCRC or call 413-664-8718Some of the topics for the upcoming seminars will be Integration of Art and Community, Political Art, Environmental Art, and Public Art. Tricks of the Trade is a program of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Berkshire Cultural Resource Center, in partnership with IS 183 Art School in Stockbridge and Ferrin Gallery in Pittsfield. Sponsored by Appelbaum-Kahn Foundation, Excelsior, and Massachusetts Cultural Council. Tricks of the Trade 2012-01-30T19:44:02-05:00 http://web2.mcla.edu/index.php/bcrc/tricks_of_the_trade_creative_residencies/ http://web2.mcla.edu/index.php/bcrc/tricks_of_the_trade_creative_residencies/#When:19:55:13Z JANUARY 10 @6:30pmCreative Residencies Based in Communities: Local Opportunities MCLA Gallery 5151 Main Street North Adams, MASpeakers/Panelists:Maria Mingalone, Director of Interpretation for Berkshire Museum Sandra Burton, Lipp Family Director of Dance at Williams College Peter Dudek, Artistic Director Bascom Lodge Jannie Jadow, Shakespeare in the CourtsValeria Federici, Berkshire Cultural Resource Center (moderator)Learn about a variety of local Berkshire opportunities for artist residencies. These residencies allow individuals to focus working on their art or other projects while possibly engaging with the Berkshire community.JANUARY 11 @6:30pmNational and International OpportunitiesFerrin Gallery 437 North Street Pittsfield, MASpeakers/Panelists:Adam Short, Development and Program Manager of Alliance of Artists Communities Sean Caroll, Artist Residencies of Lower Manhattan Cultural CouncilLeslie Ferrin, Ferrin Gallery Director (moderator) The series will highlight national and international opportunities for artist residencies. In particular, Sean Carroll of the Lower Manahattan Cultural Council will present ‘Workspace’ and ‘Swing Space’ projects. Adam Short’s presentation will include tips on choosing a residency and financing the stay.January 11 @6:30pmHow to Restructure Your ApplicationIS183 Art School 13 Willard Hill Road Stockbridge, MASpeaker/Panelist:Melanie Mowinski, Assistant Professor of Visual Arts at MCLA Danielle Steinmann, Associate Director of Interpretation & Public Programs, Hancock Shaker VillageBring your past or current application to this interactive workshop to focus on how to create and restructure an application for competitive artist residencies. Examples of edits and improvements will be made. The workshop leaders will be Melanie Mowinski and Danielle Steinmann, both professors in the arts from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts as well as artist residency professionals.All events are FREE, PRE-REGISTERATION IS REQUIRED Please email Valeria Federici, valeria.federici@mcla.edu or call (413)663-5253 Tricks of the Trade 2012-01-06T19:55:13-05:00 http://web2.mcla.edu/index.php/bcrc/apap_day_one/ http://web2.mcla.edu/index.php/bcrc/apap_day_one/#When:04:30:31Z BCRC 2012-01-06T04:30:31-05:00 http://web2.mcla.edu/index.php/bcrc/b_hip_is_looking_for_you/ http://web2.mcla.edu/index.php/bcrc/b_hip_is_looking_for_you/#When:15:52:35Z Are you a highly motivated, enthusiastic intern with an incomparable love for the arts? B-HIP is perfect for you then.B-HIP, Berkshire Hills Internship Program is recruiting interns for its 11th edition running on Summer 2012. Job Description:Berkshire Hills Internship Program (B-HIP) is an intensive twelve-week arts management internship course structured to integrate theoretical concepts and real-world experience.B-HIP combines an internship component with a seminar in arts management, talk-backs with the area’s leading arts professionals, and full participation in cultural events throughout Berkshire County (Western Massachusetts).Interns work in a multitude of administrative capacities including development, marketing, public relations and programming – as they gain hands-on experience in the field of arts management. Each internship is hand-tailored to suite each interns’ needs, interests and talents. Former interns have worked at institutions such as The Clark Art Institute, MASS MoCA, the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, Shakespeare and Company, and more! Interns receive a $100 weekly stipend and are provided with housing accommodations in North Adams, MA. MCLA’s tuition rates are generally lower than those of comparable institutions; these same fees apply to the credit a B-HIP intern earns.  Scholarships and tuition reductions available.   Qualifications:B-HIP is a 12-credit course that is open to college students (juniors and seniors), recent graduates, and working professionals. If in College, applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.5.  Nonprofit, business, and/or arts management coursework or experience in the field is helpful. Applicants should be passionate about the arts management field and be prepared for an intensive twelve weeks.  Interns are required to be available for the full program (please see website for full calendar: http://www.mcla.edu/About_MCLA/Community/bcrc/b-hip/).B-HIP welcomes international applicants.Application Deadline March 1, 2012International applicants should apply by February 1, 2012We encourage applicants to apply early. B-HIP is a highly competitive internship and spots fill up quickly.HOW TO APPLY:a. Download the application on mcla.edu/b-hipb. Send the application package to the address below.Your application package should contain the following items:1. A Fully Completed, Signed, and Dated Application: fill out the application completely, and answer all essay questions.2. Resume and 2 Letters of Recommendation: The letters of recommendation should come from people who you have worked with in some capacity. Teachers, academic advisors, former supervisors, and members of organizations you’ve volunteered or worked for make great references.  These letters should be from different people than those listed as references in the body of your application. *Letters of recommendation must be sealed with reference’s signature over the seal.  This letter can be mailed directly from reference to the B-HIP office (address below).Submitting your Application:Send all required materials to Valeria.Federici@mcla.eduIndicate B-HIP APPLICANT: [Your Name] in the subject of the email.If you wish to send your application via mail instead, please use the address belowB-HIPBerkshire Cultural Resource Center51 Main StreetNorth Adams, MA 01247USAFOR MORE INFORMATION please do not hesitate to contactValeria FedericiProgram CoordinatorValeria.Federici@mcla.edu(001) 413 663 5253   Office hours: Mon-Fri 10am-6pm (EST)THANK YOU!Useful links:B-HIP website ::: B-HIP Flickr ::: BCRC website ::: Facebook ::: Twitter  B-HIP 2011-12-29T15:52:35-05:00 http://web2.mcla.edu/index.php/bcrc/downstreet_art_on_ice_ready_to_roll/ http://web2.mcla.edu/index.php/bcrc/downstreet_art_on_ice_ready_to_roll/#When:20:12:01Z DownStreet Art on Ice returns for a third consecutive year, extending this summer and fall’s art events into December with art openings, live music and more in downtown North Adams on Thursday, Dec. 1, beginning at 5 p.m., to be held in conjunction with the city-wide celebration, “Hometown Holidays.”This year’s events – which are free and open to the public – will feature six exhibition openings, two performances, art deals, art on a stick wandering cart, as well as specials at downtown businesses.Exhibition openings include those at MAYA IV by Jarvis Rockwell, 49 Main St.; “99¢ and up: Art Mall” at MCLA Gallery 51, 51 Main St.; Melanie Mowinski’s installation at PIP Gallery, 53 Main St.; “Patterns and Pressure” at PRESS, 105 Main St.; and an MCLA student show in the window of 109 Main St.99 Cents show at MCLA Gallery 51 in 2010MCLA Gallery 51 Manager Ven Voisey said the event offers a wide variety of artistic holiday gifts for purchase. “Whether you’re a conflicted idealist, a die-hard capitalist, something in-between, or none of the above, you’ve probably found yourself befuddled by shopping malls and big box stores, and people’s behavior within them, during holiday shopping season. This upcoming exhibit is simultaneously an examination of that phenomenon, and a great chance support the local economy by adding artwork from a selection of MCLA Gallery 51 and DownStreet Art.  The gallery will be chock-full of affordable, ready-to-be-sold-off-the wall art of a wide variety of mediums priced between 99 cents and $99.”MCLA Gallery 51 Merchandising 2010 MAYA IV, 49 Main St., will feature new and old works by North Adams artist Jarvis Rockwell. In addition to new works – including a new wall drawing – Rockwell has on exhibit his “MAYA IV sculpture and works he created in the 1960s and ’70s.MAYA IV – detailThe PIP Gallery will feature an installation by Melanie Mowinski, MCLA art professor. It consists of a series of hanging silk panels entitled, “Tree of Souls,” that was originally created for and shown as part of the “Festival of Trees” at the Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield.“PRESS: Letterpress as a Public Art ” will unveil the new exhibit, “Patterns and Pressure,” featuring MCLA student projects printed at PRESS during the fall semester by students in Mowinski’s “Intro to Design” and “Concrete Poetry” classes.PRESS GalleryAt 109 Main St.,“Coming up NEXT! MCLA’s Emerging Artists” is a preview of work created by some of the students who will graduate from MCLA this spring.In addition, artist Mark Mulherrin and Kirsten Warming will return downtown with their “Artsicle” cart. Artists were asked to participate in the project creating their own “art on a stick,” which will be given away during DownStreet Art on Ice. The cart will be then parked at MCLA Gallery 51 as part of the “99¢ and up: Art Mall” show.DownStreet Art on Ice also will see the culmination of the Window Decorating Contest. All businesses are invited to participate in this holiday window decorating contest. Judging will take place on Dec. 1. Judges will include: North Adams Mayor Richard Alcombright, local artist Jarvis Rockwell, Michael Foster of the North Adams Transcript and Sean Taylor from Freight Yard Pub.Michael Chapman’s window installation, 2010A City Councilor’s Choice award and a People’s Choice Award also will be awarded. The trolley will take judges and interested members of the public to all decorated sites throughout the city. For more information about the Window Decorating Contest, contact Veronica Bosley at tourism@northadams-ma.gov or             413-664-6180      Performances include those by the MCLA Allegrettos, the College’s a cappella group that has performed throughout the county, as well as on public television. The students will perform traditional songs of the season at different venues throughout downtown the night.And, the MCLA Jazz Band, under the guidance of local musician and teacher Jamie Choquette, will perform from 6-7 p.m., at 107 Main St. Starting at 8:30 p.m., Patrick Gray will perform on the stage at PUBLIC Restaurant, 34 Holden St.In addition, a Children’s Scavenger Hunt will be held throughout North Adams, Dec. 1-8, as part of the Hometown Holidays celebration. Clues will be available at Verizon Wireless, I Got Goodies and MCLA Gallery 51 starting Dec. 1, as part of the evening’s events.More info of DownStreet Art here DownStreet Art 2011-12-01T20:12:01-05:00 http://web2.mcla.edu/index.php/bcrc/water_is_rising_hits_north_adams/ http://web2.mcla.edu/index.php/bcrc/water_is_rising_hits_north_adams/#When:19:46:20Z The performers of Water is Rising arrived to North Adams this morning, toured MASS MoCA and they are now getting ready for a panel discussion on Campus Sustainability at MCLA Campus, tonight, Nov 14 at 5:30pm in Murdock 218…One of them revealed at the end of the tour: This is the best museum I have visited and I have been all around the world!". The group has been indeed all around the world to advocate the danger of their native nations to be swallowed by the rising waters due to the Climate Change.During the tour of MASS MoCA they engaged with the guide and asked questions about the building and the purpose of the art of view.This amazing group of people crusading the world to save their home will be performing at MCLA Church Steer Center on November 15 at 7:30pm.INFOFor more information contact:Jonathan Secorjonathan.secor@mcla.edu413-664-8718      ----------------------------------------------------To buy tickets, call 413.662.5204                         To become a member and support this great work, call Amey Spiewak: 413.662.5229 / A.Spiewak@mcla.edu.General Admission: $10MCLA Alumni: $8MCLA faculty and staff: $5Members and MCLA students: FREE----------------------------------------------------  Read about this performance on the Boston Globe MCLA Presents! 2011-11-14T19:46:20-05:00 http://web2.mcla.edu/index.php/bcrc/ben_ripley_and_his_photos_of_this_undescribed/ http://web2.mcla.edu/index.php/bcrc/ben_ripley_and_his_photos_of_this_undescribed/#When:21:42:46Z  The current exhibit at Gallery 51 features the photography of Ben Ripley in best sense of the word "photography". In his show "Photos of This Undescribed", Ripley has taken the process of photography and broken it down into its most basic and alchemical form. From using a 19th century photographic and developing process on glass to using the plant matter from the berries he photographed as the dye in the photograph, Ripley has provided and created an exhibit that allows you to see for yourself what can really be done with the art of photography.    But one of the most eye-catching parts of the entire exhibit this camera that he built himself that uses a 2 foot wide by 100 foot long piece of film. He then took the custom built camera on a true adventure, Huck-Finn style, mounted it on a catamaran that he also built and floated it down the Deerfield River in an attempt to take a 100 ft. long photograph. While the camera shoots through a 19th century portrait lens, the images produced are as beautiful as they are conceptual. Ripley’s exhibit, "Photos of This Undescribed" really displays what is possible within the realm of photography. Be sure to to check out Ripley’s photography soon, as this exhibit will only be up for another week until November 27th.  MCLA Gallery 51 2011-11-12T21:42:46-05:00